Juventus-Fiorentina: Serie A Preview

It’s time for the turn of the season as Juventus once again take on Fiorentina—this time at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. The Bianconeri were headed towards a victory after a Pavel Nedved tap-in on the very first match day had it not been for Alberto Gilardino’s last minute equalizer at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

There have been a lot of mind games through the press from both sides so expect fierce rivalry and an intense game this Saturday evening where very important points are at stake.

Juventus

Juventus have won four out of their five latest outings and are only three points off the pace. The Bianconeri had the chance to reduce the gap to a single point in last week’s fixture against Lazio seeing as the Nerazzuri lost away to Atalanta—but a rather unconvincing performance from the Turin side saw the team being held to a draw by the capital side.

Cristian Ledesma gave the home side the lead, but a superb header from center back Olof Mellberg—playing as right back for the evening and also incidentally the best player on the field—levelled the score and made sure that Juventus did not have to go back to Turin empty-handed.

Last week was also supposed to be the comeback date for Gianluigi Buffon, but unfortunately the goalkeeper caught the flu and had to step aside. According to reports from the Peninsula, the flu spread to several of the other players but the current state is not as severe as reported in the media.

Ranieri have, like during most of the season, a lot of injured players on his hands as Hasan Salihamidzic, David Trezeguet, Mauro Camoranesi, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Dario Knezevic, Jonathan Zebina are out and Giorgio Chiellini most likely not recovering on time. On top of that both Momo Sissoko and Cristian Molinaro will sit out a ban but Zdenek Grygera returns to Ranieri’s disposal.

Juventus will look to grab maximum points in order to remain hot on Inter’s trail after last week’s missed opportunity—especially considering the league leaders are entertaining Sampdoria at the Giuseppe Meazza where they have had difficulties winning all throughout the season.

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Grygera, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, De Ceglie; Marchionni, Marchisio, Zanetti, Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero

Fiorentina

Last weekend Fiorentina lost on the road to a Milan club that had the wholehearted support of the Rossoneri supporters that were pleading with to Kaká to remain at the club. Former Milan forward Alberto Gilardino got anything but a warm welcome on the return to his former club.

The club is going into this fixture without the best of circumstances coming from two consecutive defeats on their back.

Cesare Prandelli’s squad is suffering from Adrian Mutu’s injury layoff as the club is residing at sixth place for the time being and is three points shy of a Champions League spot with both Genoa and Napoli ahead of them in the pecking order.

Alberto Gilardino, also Viola’s top scorer this season hasn’t hit the back of the net since mid-December but claims to have been “saving himself for the most important game” and with radar partner Adrian Mutu on the sidelines, the Italian will have to step up his game even further.

Center back Alessandro Gamberini and goalkeeper Sebastian Frey are back from injuries while Gianluca Comotta sits out a ban. Like mention above, forward Adrian Mutu is still out with a dislocated elbow and will most likely remain on the sidelines till the end of the month.

Fiorentina will be looking for a win in order to grab fourth place and a Champions League spot and considering that both Genoa and Napoli face tricky home games against Catania and Roma respectively, this could be a great opportunity for the Viola to leapfrog at least one of their closest rivals in the table.

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Zauri, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Vargas; Kuzmanovic, Felipe Melo, Montolivo; Santana, Gilardino, Jovetic